Power Rankings

Nothing has happened between the stripes - yet. But everybody has an opinion about who the best - and worst- teams in D-I will be at the end of the year. Bay State Blitz is no different, and while we freely admit many of these spots could change at the drop of a hat, here are our preseason rankings of the 20 large enrollment teams in Eastern Mass.

#1 Everett: -- Ric Flair used to say, "To be the man, you've got to beat the man." Until someone upsets the apple cart, the Crimson Tide are most definitely "the man."

#2 Brockton -- The Boxers are flat out loaded, bringing back almost everybody from the Super Bowl runners-up. Also, of their six losses a year ago, four came by an average of only eight points.

#3 Dartmouth -- What more can be said about Jordan Todman? Over the next 12 weeks we'll be trying to figure that out.

#4 Xaverian -- One of the biggest question marks is how the Hawks will respond to all the new faces. The bet here is as well as they usually do.

#5 Cambridge -- The Falcons have talent and they'll be well prepared. When it's all said and done, the GBL should be decided on Thanksgiving.

#6 St. John's Prep -- Naysayers note that 50 players is a lot to replace. But 100 years of Eagle football says they'll find a way to get it done.

#7 Bridgewater-Raynham -- Pat Omar and the Trojans have a bounce-back year in a big way.

#8 Malden Catholic -- Call us crazy - and we're sure you will - but we're buying the MC hype hook, line and sinker.

#9 Waltham -- It might take a while, but by midseason the Hawks will be back to their hardnosed selves and in thick of the GBL race.

#10 BC High -- If one of the Eagles' backs emerges as a go-to threat, they could finish a lot higher.

#11 Attleboro -- The Bombardiers will go as far as Luke Johnson can carry them.

#12 Arlington -- A bit higher than most might expect, but the Spy Ponders have the size and grit to sneak up on some people.

#13 Taunton -- It's always tought to ask a team to play the entire season without a true "home" field.

#14 Catholic Memorial -- There's no substitute for the kind of experience the Knights are bringing back.

#15 Somerville -- The Highlanders have a decent backfield that could lead them to a higher finish when it's all said and done.

#16 New Bedford -- Jarrin Edwards could do some damage this fall.

#17 Durfee -- The Hilltoppers are a ton of shoes to fill.

#18 Barnstable -- The Red Raiders are hoping the move to the wing-T pays dividends.

#19 Malden -- The Golden Tornadoes will be better, but they're still a few years away from from true contention.

#20 Medford -- Things seemed to be looking up for the Mustangs after last year's Thanksgiving win over Malden. But the coaching situation they've endured since would be tough for any progam to overcome.